Welcome to our Meet the Team Series, where we delve into the stories and expertise of our exceptional M4 Ranch Group team members.
In this Meet the Team spotlight, we interview Seth Craft who shares his unique approach to ranch brokerage, insights on building lasting client relationships, his experience in big game hunting and valuable advice for those seeking to purchase their first recreational or hunting ranch.
Read on to learn more…
‘not keen on reading – listen here instead’
As a Marine Corps veteran, how has your time in the military shaped your approach to ranch brokerage and building client relationships?
I didn’t realize the work ethic and team atmosphere that the military brings until I joined. When I went through basic training, I graduated number one in my class, and that feeling of being at the top of your game transitioned into my current environment. Thinking back through all of this, the best analogy I can give is that if you have two guys working on building a house, it’s almost equivalent to five different people working on it. You’re not running solo.
There’s that old motto about sled dogs
When you’re running with another person who’s performing at a high level, it just makes you run even harder. I love the team atmosphere. I was in CQB teams (close quarter battle teams), so we did everything together. That team atmosphere means I pick up where Dan Murphy leaves off, and vice versa. You get to the point where you complement each other pretty well.
Being tenacious is key
You could put me next to anybody, whether we’re building a fence or doing anything else, and my goal is to outwork them. When you transition from military to civilian life, your schedule and everything you do is adapted.
Actually, Dan and I had a pretty good dialogue a couple of weeks ago. He asked about my goals, and I said I don’t really set specific goals. Instead, I set a really good routine of getting up and doing the same thing every day, doubling down on what’s successful, and trying to get rid of all the unnecessary things in life.
A really good process for Success
I’d say that’s probably the best thing about the military – it gives you a really good process for success, helps you work together as a team, and teaches you how to lead from behind.
You’ve been recognized among the top 5% of land REALTORS in the country, what’s your secret to consistently delivering results in such a competitive market?
I think I’d almost go back to the team effort. Like I said, Dan and I work really well together. I think a lot of people in this business get greedy when they get a $15-20 million dollar ranch listing, thinking they need to run with it solo, only focusing on the commission check.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
But I think if you take a different perspective – Dan always talks about that saying “a rising tide lifts all boats” – and that’s one thing I’ve really paid attention to, trying to bring everybody up to that level.
At the last place where I worked, the owner of the company asked what I thought we needed to tweak. I said, “Well, instead of just running solo on all this stuff, you need to figure out how to replicate yourself.” That’s one thing I try to do in this job – replicate myself, not only with Payton but with Butch too, and try to bring everybody up to the same standard.
working together as a team
I really enjoy working together as a team, we have that divide and conquer mentality. Like I said before, sometimes those relationships in my age group just seem to click a little bit better, and it’s the same thing with Dan.
mindset Tweak
I think another thing is that I’ve really tweaked my mindset… when you talk to Dan, he says we sell pretty, but I sell investment properties. So when you talk to a consumer, let’s say it’s a hunter looking primarily for a hunting ranch, he may be one out of 2,000, but out of those 2,000 people, every single person wants to make money and have a really good return on their investment!
So that’s the mentality I have: what can we do to go into the ranch, fix it up and flip it, or really just create that arbitrage so our clients can make money? That’s the mindset I go into it with.
be intentional every day
Just getting up and going to work every single day – I think a lot of people treat it as residual income and just take it when it’s here, but I think you’ve got to get out there and get it. You’ve got to be intentional every day.
You can’t just be reactive in this business. I mean, even with Red Mountain in the last couple of days, we’ve been trying to pedal that thing off as hard as we possibly can. You just gotta put it in front of people.
Big game hunting has clearly been a lifelong passion for you, how does this experience help you identify ranches with the best hunting potential for your clients?
It’s all about experience… growing up, if we didn’t harvest a deer or an elk, we simply didn’t eat! Over time, what started as a necessity turned into a passion, and now it’s more than just a job, it’s about truly enjoying wildlife.
It’s funny because I often get appraisers asking me “what do you think this land is worth?”, and I tell them it’s not just about the acreage or location; you have to factor in things like game populations, migratory routes, and limited-entry tags.
To really walk the walk and talk the talk in this business, you have to live it.
hands-on experience gives you an edge
I’ve hunted in probably 15 different countries and countless states, especially across the West. That hands-on experience gives you an edge, whether it’s reading blogs, listening to podcasts, or just living on the land, you develop a deep understanding of what you’re looking at.
A lot of people come into this business selling ranches in specific units without knowing the draw odds or success rates for those areas. But having lived it my whole life, I can confidently say that experience becomes expertise.
This knowledge isn’t just theoretical; it’s practical. It helps me guide clients by identifying the true value of a property, whether it’s for hunting, conservation, or investment purposes.
When you’ve been immersed in this world for so long, you don’t just sell properties; you provide insight that only comes from years of firsthand experience.
What’s your advice for someone looking to purchase their first recreational or hunting ranch?
I would say… find the right person and really lean on them for a lot of the understanding. It’s crazy because you’ll have a buyer looking up in Wyoming, and you ask, “OK, why are you guys looking up in Wyoming?” They’ll say, “Well, the hunting is spectacular, or I like the politics, the climate,” and so on… then you start really breaking down the situation.
You say, “OK, well do you know that hunting up in Wyoming is limited to either yourself, your wife, or your ranch manager? Those direct people are the only ones who can have the tag, and then you’ve got to allocate that tag during the draw period. You could never give that tag to any of your other family members.” It’s just so much different compared to Colorado or New Mexico!
A lot of these guys come out here to buy a ranch, and they don’t know what they’re actually looking for. They feel like they can just buy a piece of ground and go hunt it, when they don’t know the rules and regulations of the ranch, or the migratory herd that moves in and out of there, or the capacity of the cattle ranch or whatever.
“You’ve got to get connected with the right people in the business”.
I think that’s what happens a lot – they do a Google search and get a pop-up with a broker on Zillow, and they entrust them. But that’s their biggest transaction in their life, and they’re entrusting it with a Zillow residential agent.
Example:
A few years ago, I had a client looking to purchase a $39 million ranch. Despite the potential for a significant commission, I advised him against the purchase because it wasn’t a good fit for him. This exemplifies the true meaning of fiduciary duty in real estate brokerage.
Many brokers talk about fiduciary duties, but they often fail to integrate these principles into their business model, prioritizing their own interests over their clients’. In contrast, I approach this business with genuine passion and a commitment to my clients’ best interests. I’m not driven by necessity, but by a love for what I do.
The Cupid matchmaker” for ranches!
I see myself as a “Cupid matchmaker” for ranches. When a client outlines their requirements, I can quickly sift through my mental database of properties I’ve dealt with or upcoming listings to find potential matches. This ability comes from years of experience and a deep understanding of the market.
My approach aligns with the core fiduciary duties of loyalty and reasonable care. By prioritizing the client’s interests, even when it means advising against a high-value purchase, I’m fulfilling my obligation to act solely in the best interests of my principal. This level of dedication and expertise is what sets apart a truly professional real estate broker in the specialized field of ranch brokerage.
The M4 Ranch Group Team
We talk about all these accolades and achievements, but it’s important to emphasize that it’s all a group effort. There’s no single person at the forefront of our success.
We couldn’t accomplish what we do without any of our people; Lauren, Courtney, Michelle, Dan, Aleah, or any of our team members. That’s one aspect I truly appreciate about our environment here – we’re a genuine team with strong continuity, and we accomplish many things together.
I feel like we’re absolutely firing on all cylinders when we’re working as a unit.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude our spotlight on Seth Craft, it’s clear that his dedication to ranch brokerage is more than just a job, it’s a passion that drives him to deliver exceptional results for his clients.
At M4 Ranch Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just brokers; we’re partners in your ranching journey. Our team’s collective expertise, combined with Seth’s unique approach and experience, ensures that every client receives a personalized service tailored to their needs.
If you’re considering purchasing or selling a ranch, or simply want to explore the possibilities of ranch ownership, we invite you to reach out to Seth and M4 Ranch Group.
Let us help you find your perfect piece of property and turn your ranch dreams into reality.
View our Colorado Ranches For Sale, New Mexico Ranches For Sale and Wyoming Ranches For Sale
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Bio: Seth Craft
Seth grew up chasing elk and deer in the Cascades of Oregon. A hugely accomplished big game hunter, Seth has a passion for sheep, mule deer, and elk. A Colorado guide for Mossback Outfitters, he knows big deer and spends a lot of the fall searching for Monster Mule Deer.
In early 2000 he joined the Marine Corps at an early age of 17 and finished out the remainder of his time in a Close Quarter Battle team. Seth also worked as a Lineman for thirteen years, part of that time was spent doing storm work along the west coast.
He has become one of the top producers of premier properties in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Recognized multiple times by the REALTORS Land Institute (RLI), the leading association for the land industry. Seth’s recognitions include being among the top 5% in production for land REALTORS across the entire country with an average of 50 premier ranch sales a year for the last 4 years. Most recently, Seth was recognized as a Top 20 National Producer, as well as, Region 6 (AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY) Broker of the Year in Recreational Land Sales. Seth serves on the Future Leaders Committee for RLI.
A Sample of Ranches For Sale
Endless Creeks Ranch
$19,900,000
Endless Creeks Ranch is a remarkable Colorado Ranch For Sale, spanning 5,709.3± deeded acres. With an extensive water supply, diverse wildlife, and direct access to public lands, this property offers a rare opportunity for hunters and ranchers alike. Includes 1.25± miles of year-round Ault Creek and 2± miles of West Muddy Creek, with historic water rights of 12.25± c.f.s.
Red Mountain Ranch
$19,450,000
Red Mountain Ranch features two 7±-acre lakes, over 3 miles of improved trout streams, and Red Mountain Creek, which flows through the entire length of the property. This Colorado Ranch For Sale, also includes an Engelmann Spruce log cabin, a second log cabin for guests, and a barn with a caretaker’s apartment located above.
Arrowhead Ranch
$14,950,000
Arrowhead Ranch is an outdoorsman’s paradise with five magnificent Heritage Ranches that can be bought individually or as a whole. Superbly located in Central Colorado, this Colorado Ranch For Sale is ideal for ranchers, outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, and hunters alike. Nearly seven miles of trout stream meander through the idyllic grassland plateau with picturesque snow-capped peaks surrounding you.
